Tennessee Code Title 55. Motor and Other Vehicles § 55-4-251

(a) This section shall apply to memorial registration plates described in § 55-4-203(c)(4) and military registration plates described in § 55-4-203(c)(5)(G).

(b) Each registration plate to which this section applies shall be subject to a verification process that shall occur annually upon the renewal of the plate, if applicable, or upon such other time as determined by the department. The department may prescribe the form and manner of submitting any proof or documentation required by this section; provided, that the holder shall be permitted to submit such proof or documentation by mail or in person.

(c) At the time of annual verification, the holder of the plate shall submit satisfactory proof that the holder is a resident of the county in which the vehicle is registered, and any other proof that the department may require showing that the holder is complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration.

(d) If the holder of the plate is deceased as of the date of annual verification, and if the copy of the death certificate of the deceased holder has not been previously submitted, then the surviving spouse of the deceased or the personal representative of the deceased holder's estate shall submit a copy of the death certificate at the time of the annual verification.

(e) If any surviving spouse of a deceased holder of a plate wishes to continue the issuance of, and retain the plate formerly held by the deceased holder, or apply for issuance of the plate to which the deceased spouse was entitled, as authorized by § 55-4-261, § 55-4-257, § 55-4-263, § 55-4-252, or § 55-4-253, as applicable, then the surviving spouse shall do so at the time of the annual verification. The surviving spouse shall submit a copy of the death certificate of the deceased holder and documentation showing the surviving spouse is a resident of the county for which the vehicle that is owned or leased by the deceased holder or surviving spouse is registered, and shall pay any applicable fees.